New York Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks on Monday appointed Justice Vito Caruso as Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Courts Outside New York City. Caruso will serve a 57-county area that stretches from Suffolk County to the Canadian border.

“Judge Caruso is widely recognized as an outstanding judge and administrator. He has served with distinction as Administrative Judge of the Fourth Judicial District, where he helped advance the core goals of the Chief Judge’s Excellence Initiative,” Marks said. “His hardworking nature and strong commitment to public service will serve him well in this demanding post. I look forward to working with him in his new capacity.”

Chief Judge Janet DiFiore approved the appointment, which was made after consulting with the Presiding Justices of the Appellate Division of the Second, Third and Fourth Judicial Departments.

Caruso takes over for Justice Michael Coccoma, who will return to the trial bench after serving as Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for ten years.

He was first elected to State Supreme Court in 1994 and re-elected in 2008. He has served as Administrative Judge of the Fourth Judicial District in Northeastern New York, which covers more than a quarter of the state.

DiFiore praised the appointment, which takes effect January 1.

“I am extremely pleased to welcome Judge Caruso as our next Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for Courts Outside New York City and have every confidence in his ability to successfully carry out the wide-ranging duties, and navigate the many challenges, of this critically important administrative assignment,” she said.